Epilogue
Spring, six months later
“This is so cool. You told me there would be a lot of people, but I didn’t think you were serious,” Charlotte says as she looks around.
“Yeah, we’ve had a decent turnout. I think the guys are happy with it.”
She scoffs. “Decent? Babe, if this is decent, I think you need to have your head examined. There are over two hundred people here.”
Okay, so maybe she’s not wrong.
Charlotte and Susie have really stepped up. Even though we are coworkers, they have proven that they won’t stop being my friend. Neither of them has even attempted to hit on one of my men, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy looking at some of their friends.
I feel blessed to not only have my men but these two women to call my friends, along with the old ladies who have taken me in as one of them.
What a change my life has gone through in six months.
“What did you put in here again?” I huff, changing the subject, as I set the cooler down that I was helping Charlotte carry.
“Seltzers, High Noons, you know, girly drinks.”
I roll my eyes. “I told you we had drinks covered.”
“Babe, I don’t know if you realize this or not, but you hang out with a bunch of bikers. It’s either hard liquor or beer. I want to be buzzed, not drunk or curled up in a corner dying of a stomachache later.”
Laughing, I shake my head. “Whatever you say. Before I forget, though, I want to thank you for coming today.”
Charlotte rolls her eyes. “Of course I came. This is a charity event, and you know I love a good cause. Besides, you know I love a chance to look at some man meat.”
“Of course,” I tease. “Come on, let’s go join the guys.”
“Wait.” She reaches out and touches my arm. “I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second.”
“Sure, what’s up? Are you okay?” I ask as I give her my full attention despite the people milling around us.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just wanted to thank you.”
“For what?”
“I know that you’re the one anonymous donor who donated enough money to the zoo for me to be hired and for the repairs we needed.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie.
Unease rolls through me. Not because I donated the money, but because of where it came from.
“I just want you to know that I appreciate it, and I’m thankful.” She loops her arm through mine. “Now come on, let’s go find your men.”
“Sounds good.” I smile weakly.
As we walk, I can’t stop thinking about the money.
I tried to talk Troy’s dad out of giving it to me, but the man refused to listen to reason.
When the money hit my bank account, I thought I was going to have a heart attack.
I had never seen and probably will never see so many zeros before when it comes to money.
I couldn’t imagine where the money came from, but the guys all chuckled and said they paid him well and they weren’t the only ones.
I don’t know what kind of stuff he is into, but the money is going to good use.
At first, I didn’t know what to do, and the guys and I talked about it.
I decided to give three-fourths of the funds to the zoo.
I knew the money would be well received, and honestly, I knew it would bring me pleasure to see what it put to good use day after day.
I put the other fourth into savings, just in case, God forbid, I ever need it.
Not that the guys ever let me pay for anything. The sneaky bastards even found a way to pay off my mortgage even though I basically live with them.
I can’t believe I wasted so many years with Troy.
Thinking of Troy, I frown. I don’t ever have to see him again. My men made sure of it. I know Walker still checks in from time to time, but I pretend I don’t hear when they mention it.
I’m happy that he isn’t even a thought in my head most days.
I hate that he treated me so badly, but I am happy he showed me what I didn’t want in a relationship.
I will never accept less than what I deserve again.
Not that my men would even try. If anything, they spoil me until I’m just short of being rotten.
I mean, look at this event they are throwing for me.
I let them live in their world, but they make sure I’m right there with them, using their skills for good.
I love them.
“What’s the charity again?” Charlotte asks, pulling me out of my head.
“Breast cancer research. One of the guy’s moms is currently going through chemo,” I tell her.
“That’s sad. Do they think she will make it?”
I smile. “Yeah, all things considered, she’s lucky. They caught it early and at only stage one. I think she has one more round of chemo or radiation left.”
“That’s promising,” she says.
“What’s promising?” Hudson asks as he walks up, pulling me into his arms.
“Hey, you,” I murmur as he leans in and kisses me.
“Hi.” He kisses me again, making me laugh.
“God, could you two take your sickening love somewhere else? I feel like I’m gagging on it,” Charlotte says, making us laugh.
Hudson spins me in his arms, wrapping himself around my back.
“Thanks for coming out here today.”
“You’re welcome,” she tells him.
“So when are you going to bring a guy around for us to meet?” he jokes.
“Uh, never.”
“Why not? You don’t want us scaring him off? Come on, Charlotte. I promise I won’t break any legs. I just need to know he will treat you right.”
I laugh at his words. He has taken on this big brother role for Charlotte. One I’ve found out that she has been missing.
“Because monogamous relationships aren’t for me, you asshole.”
Looking over my shoulder, I watch Hudson’s eyebrows wing up.
“Are you telling me you’re interested in poly? If so, I might know a guy or ten,” he says, making me laugh.
Considering all the single guys left in the club enjoy sharing, yeah, I’d say we know a few.
“As sweet as the offer is, I think I’ll pass for now. Besides, shouldn’t you, as my self-proclaimed brother, be upset at the idea of a bunch of guys railing me?”
“What’s good for my darlin’ is great for you too. You should give it a shot,” he teases.
“No thanks. I’ll enjoy being single a while longer.”
“As you should,” I tell her.
A whistle cuts through the air, making us all look in that direction.
In all his glory, Levi stands on a picnic bench and speaks.
“Thank you everyone for coming. We couldn’t do this without all of you.
So far today, we have raised ten thousand dollars to be donated to breast cancer research in Miss Martha’s name,” Levi says.
He waits for the crowd to finish clapping before he continues.
“It’s time to hit the open road. For those of you staying behind, make yourselves at home. Let’s hit the road!”
“I’ll see you guys later,” Charlotte says before she walks off, finding a spot to camp out until we get back from the ride.
“Ready?” Hudson asks, taking my hand in his.
“You know it.”
For a split second when we were planning all of this, I contemplated staying behind, making sure everything went smoothly here while the guys were gone riding, but when they asked me to join them, I couldn’t say no.
I’d be crazy to turn down a ride with one of my guys, and well, I’m not crazy. At least not when it comes to this.
My hands shake with anticipation of what’s to come.
Our girl has no idea.
I look over at my brothers, riding alongside her and me, caging us in, and smile.
This is how it’s supposed to be. How it will always be.
Esme had no idea what she was doing the night she walked up to us and asked Walker to pretend to be her boyfriend.
She might have been scared and hesitant when we started dating, but over the last six months, she’s blossomed.
Esme no longer cares what others think and openly admits to dating all three of us.
She wears it like a badge of honor that she’s in love with and loved by three men.
I fucking love it.
I love her, and so do my brothers.
With the overlook quickly approaching, I look over at Levi and nod.
As a group, we slow down and turn off while the others continue on. When everyone passes, I let out a deep breath and shut off my bike.
This is it.
“Where is everyone going?” Esme asks into the Bluetooth speakers built into our helmets.
The guys and I ignore her question.
“Jump off for a second, please,” I tell her as I hold my hand out.
She places her hand in mine and gets off. Esme takes off her helmet when the guys and I get off our bikes.
“What’s going on? Are one of you having bike trouble or something? I can call Charlotte to come pick us up,” she rambles, looking confused.
God, she’s adorable.
“Nah, we just wanted to steal a moment alone with you.” Levi tells her.
“Come with me, Pixie,” Walker says.
With a frown, she places her hand and walks over to the edge to look at the clearing below that’s filled with wildflowers.
“This is it,” I murmur to Levi as he grabs a blanket from his saddlebag.
“You worried?” he asks quietly as we watch our brother and girl.
“No, not at all. You?”
“Not one bit.” He slaps me on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s do this.”
As we approach, we share a smile when we hear Esme pressing Walker.
“Come on, why did we stop? We were so close to the turnaround point. Is something wrong?”
Walker sighs but smiles. “Pixie, chill out. We just wanted to have a minute alone with you before we go back to the craziness at the clubhouse. We will join back up with the guys when they drive back by.”
“Everything okay?” I ask as we come to a stop next to him.
“I guess so,” she murmurs.
She’s still not convinced as to why we stopped, but that’s okay. It will all become clear soon enough.
“How about we take a minute and walk down to the field?” Levi says.
“I don’t know, it’s blocked off,” she says hesitantly.
“Come on, live a little,” I tease as I step over the metal barrier.
Levi crosses over and joins me.
“You two coming or what?” he asks as he walks further down the hill.
“Come on, Pixie.” Walker picks her up, bridal style, making her laugh.
“I can walk, you know,” she teases as he carries her.